$594 Billion Defense Spending Bill Includes Provisions for Maine

Lawmakers in Washington approved a Department of Defense spending bill that includes several provisions for Maine. The Senate Appropriations Committee, which Senator Susan Collins is a member of, okayed more than $594 billion in defense funding yesterday. The bill provides $100 million and support for the Arleigh Burke destroyer program to add a 10th ship to the fleet.The DDG-51 would be built at Bath Iron Works.Collins also helped secure money for military efforts in Limestone, Bangor and several cities in Southern Maine.The bill now goes to the full Senate for a vote.